A. Purpose: Within the districts created by the adoption of this UDC or by the adoption of amendments to the UDC, there may exist developments of land with site features such as off-street parking areas, landscaping, fences and walls, exterior lighting, or signs that were legal prior to the adoption or amendment of this UDC, but under which the terms of this UDC, as amended, are now prohibited, restricted, or regulated. The purpose of this Section is to permit these nonconforming site features to continue until they are voluntarily removed or brought into compliance in conjunction with a proposed change in the development.
B. Continuation: Site features such as off-street parking areas, landscaping, fences and walls, exterior lighting, or signs that were legally existing at the time they were established but that have become nonconforming because they no longer meet the current standards of this UDC may be continued, except as otherwise provided in this Section 7.5.803.
C. Extensions of Site Features: The degree of nonconformity of a site feature shall not be enlarged, expanded, extended, or increased, except as provided in this UDC.
D. Provisions Applicable to Specific Site Features:
1. Off-Street Parking:
a. Off street parking and loading areas that conform with the standards in Part 7.4.10 (Parking and Loading) shall be provided for (i) a newly constructed building or new use on previously vacant land, (ii) all uses in a building that is enlarged, and (iii) all uses in a building when any use is changed and the newly approved use requires more parking than the previously approved use. However, existing parking and loading areas do not need to be upgraded to comply with the standards in Part 7.4.10 (Parking and Loading) even if they provided part of the required parking for the new or enlarged use or building.
b. The Manager may require additional off-street parking or loading facilities if the Manager determines it is needed to avoid congestion on public streets and for the health, safety, and convenience of the public.
2. Landscaping: Nonconforming landscaping, including fences and walls, may continue until the property owner engages in activities that subject the development to the standards of Part 7.4.9 (Landscaping and Green Space); see Section 7.4.902 (Applicability).
3. Exterior Lighting: Exterior lighting may continue even if it does not comply with the standards of this UDC until the property owner engages in activities that subject the development to the standards of Part 7.4.12 (Exterior Lighting); see Section 7.4.1202 (Applicability and Exemptions).
4. Signs: See Section 7.4.1311 (Nonconforming and Abandoned Signs). (Ord. 23-03)